Storable protective headgear



April 1969 A. J. KRINKE 3,440,660

STQRABLE PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR Filed March 17, 1967 mun"! INVENTOR. ALvsR/v JT KR/NKE BY MM h hwnfixwddoqt if & smug} AT'roRNEv J United States Patent 3,440,660 STORABLE PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR Alvern J. Krinke, 4806 Twin Lake Ave. N., Brooklyn Center, Minn. 55429 Filed Mar. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 623,949 Int. Cl. A42b 1/08; A41d 13/00, 21 /00, 31/00 US. Cl. 23 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Protective headgear having a top wall and a pair of side walls hingedly connected to a back wall; and zippers for interconnecting the top wall and side walls such that when connected the four walls form a protective headgear. At least the top wall and each of the side walls having a plurality of panels hingedly interconnected so that the entire headgear can be folded for storage in a small space when not in use.

Background of the invention This invention is concerned with storable or collapsible protective headgear. Collapsible headgear in its broadest forms is known in the art. Several forms of protective headgear which can be dismantled or disconnected to collapse into a unit for storage purposes have already been taught in the art. One. problem which has not been solved in the art is to provide protective headgear which can be folded to be stored in a comparatively small area and be convenient to an individual, whether carried with him or permanently stored at specific locations, such as in an airplane seat, for his convenient use in time of prospective danger. The apparatus of this invention meets this need by providing a light, durable and highly shock protective headgear which is nonetheless easily collapsed for storage in a comparatively small area for simple storage or transportation by an individual.

Brief summary of the invention Briefly described, the apparatus of this invention comprises a rear wall having hingedly connected thereto a pair of side walls and a top wall. Releasable fastening means, such as zippers, are provided to interconnect the top wall with each of the side walls to form the four walls into a shape suitable for use as headgean Each of the walls comprise shock protective material so that the headgear can be used as a crash helmet or the like. Further, each of the top and side walls comprises a plurality of panels, each panel comprising shock protective material. The panels are fixed in spaced relation on the respective wall, and are hinged within the spaces formed between the panels, to provide for individual folding between the panels as well as the folding between each of the top and side walls and the rear wall. Thus the entire headgear can be collapsed, by releasing the zippers and folding the panels, into a comparatively small package for simple storage and transportation.

In the drawings In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a prospective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of this invention shown in its interconnected form for use as headgear;

FIGURE 2 is a planned view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 showing the unconnected and unfolded inner surface of the embodiment;

FIGURE 3 is a planned view of the embodiment of FIGURE 2 shown in folded position for storage; and

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a portion of FIG- URE 2 taken along the line 4-4.

ice

Description of drawing and operation In FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a storable protective headgear indicated generally at 10. Headgear 10 comprises a rear wall 11 and plurality of further walls 12, 13 and 14 hingedly connected to wall 11. In the preferred embodiment of the drawings wall 12 is a top wall, while walls 13 and 14 are side walls.

In FIGURE 2 it can be seen that wall 12 comprises a plurality of panels 21, 22, 23 and 24. Side wall 13 comprises a pair of panels 25 and 26, and side wall 14 comprises a pair of panels 27 and 28. The respective of panels 21-28 are seen to be placed in spaced relation on the respective of walls 12-14. Each of walls 12-14 is constructed to be hinged or foldable along a line within the space between the panels 21-28. An example of the compact collapsed headgear which can be achieved by proper folding can be seen in FIGURE 3. From FIGURE 3 it becomes apparent that the apparatus of this invention provides for headgear which can be stored in a comparatively small space.

Referring again to FIGURE 2 it can be seen that a pair of zippers 16 and 17 are provided for releasable interconnection of wall 12 with each of walls 13 and 14. When the walls 12-14 are not interconnected, zippers 16 and 17 do not interfere with folding and storage of headgear 10. When zippers 16 and 17 are selectively actuated to interconnect walls 12-14, then headgear 10 is suitable for use as such, as shown in FIGURE 1.

A chin strap 29 is provided to hold headgear 10 in place when used as such. Strap 29 has one end connected to wall 14, and another end with a snap 31 mounted thereon for connection to another snap 32 mounted on wall 13.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 is can be seen that, for example, wall 12 comprises an outer layer 35 preferably of a flexible material substantially resistant to tearing and cracking such as cloth or vinyl. On the inner surface of outer layer 35 there are shown mounted panels 22 and 23 of a shock protective material such as styrofoam or cork. Depending on the material used, the thickness of panels 22 and 23 will vary, but will generally be in range of one-half to two inches thick.

' Panels 22 and 23 are in spaced relation along the inner surface of outer layer 35. At a point such as 38 between panels 22 and 23 a hinge or folding line is provided to allow for storage of headgear 10.

If desired an inner layer 37 can be mounted to panels 22 and 23 in a manner such that at point 38 inner layer 37 extends to and connects with the inner surface of outer layer 35 to provide the hinge or foldable line. If desired, inner layer 37 can also be of a material substantially resistant to tearing and cracking.

It will be apparent from FIGURES 1-4 that each of panels 21-28 have beveled edges to allow for curvature to walls 12-14 when interconnected by zippers 16 and 17, such that headgear 10 will form to a shape generally suitable for headgear. In the embodiment shown it is preferable to bevel all four edges of panels 22, 23 and 24; while it is only necessary to bevel three edges of panels 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Headgear apparatus comprising: a first wall means; a plurality of further wall means; all said wall means including shock protective material; means hingedly connecting said further wall means to said first wall means; releasable fastening means connected to said further wall means for releasable interconnection thereof in the form of protective headgear; said further wall means each comprising a plurality of hingedly connected panels, for

folded storage of the headgear when said further wall means are not connected; said first wall means comprising a rear wall; and said further wall means comprising a pair of side walls and a top wall.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said releasable fastening means comprise zippers.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which at least said further wall means each comprise: an outer layer of a flexible material substantially resistant to tearing and cracking; and a plurality of panels of shock-resistant material mounted in spaced relation on the inner surface of said outer layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 including: an inner layer of flexible material; and said inner layer mounted to said panels and connected to said outer layer at points intermediate said spaced panels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,129,454 9/1938 Wilkie 284 2,289,345 7/ 1942 Craig et a1 2-6 2,832,961 5/1958 Weiss 220 XR 3,366,971 2/1968 Schcrz 2-3 JAMES R. BOLER, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

